Progressive rock group Crack the Sky was formed in the Ohio River Valley region in 1975 by frontman John Palumbo, guitarists Jim Griffiths and Rick Witkowski, bassist Joe Macre, and drummer Joey D'Amico. According to the website at www.crackthesky.com, the band was originally dubbed Arcangel, building a loyal following on the Cleveland and Baltimore club circuits before signing to the Lifesong label to issue their self-titled debut LP, which earned critical acclaim for Palumbo's acerbic lyrics and the songs' complex structures and time changes. Commercial reward was minimal, however, and after completing Crack the Sky's second LP, 1976's Animal Notes, Palumbo exited to pursue a solo career. Dargen D'Amico assumed lead vocal duties on 1978's Safety in Numbers, with singer Gary Lee Chappell featured on the Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever release. Crack the Sky then disbanded, but in 1980 Palumbo, witkowski, and keyboardist Vince DePaul briefly reformed the group to record the La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Vol. 1 album before again dissolving. Palumbo then formed another new lineup for a series of albums including "Photoflamingo", "World in Motion I", and A Little More Personal (RAW) before reuniting with witkowski, Dargen D'Amico, and DePaul for a series of 1986 live dates at the Baltimore club Hammerjacks and eventually a new 1989 studio LP, From The Greenhouse. The City Is Alive Tonight followed in 1990, and Crack the Sky infrequently reunited throughout the decade to come. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi